The Howard County Police Department is a nationally accredited agency dedicated to creating a better quality of life for the citizens of Howard County. Our employees demonstrate the highest standards and are guided by the agency’s values: Integrity, Pride and Community.

The Communications Division is a mixture of specially trained call-takers, dispatchers and supervisors who handle all police, fire and emergency medical services calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The division is managed on a day-to-day basis by a combination of police and fire supervisors, under the command of a police lieutenant.

Emergency communications operator qualifications:

U.S. citizen

High school diploma or GED

No criminal record

Applicants must be able to pass a written exam, physical exam, typing test, panel interview, background investigation and psychological screening.

No application necessary before testing date; candidates must provide a valid form of identification upon arrival at the test.

A police cadet is a pre-entry level civilian position in the police department. The cadet assists police officers and members of the public with non-criminal incidents and provides support for various divisions of the police department. Some of the typical duties include providing assistance with clerical and communications functions, presenting programs to the public, transporting evidence and providing personnel support at special events in the county.